Constructies, mogelijk met balken c. 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created "Constructies, mogelijk met balken" - Constructions, possibly with beams - , a pencil drawing now held at the Rijksmuseum. Dijsselhof's career was deeply embedded in the cultural shifts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At the time, the Netherlands was experiencing a period of modernization and industrialization. Dijsselhof was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, a design movement which rejected industrial production and sought a return to traditional craftsmanship. In this sketch, Dijsselhof explores structural forms, perhaps for furniture or architectural elements. The design features clean lines and a functional aesthetic, echoing the movement's emphasis on simplicity and utility. Dijsselhof’s exploration of form and structure embodies the era's search for beauty in the functional. The drawing is both a practical study and a reflection of the artist's engagement with the artistic and social ideals of his time. It offers us an intimate look into the creative process of an artist deeply invested in reshaping the material world around him.